Social & Human Resources

Health Services

Expanding Access to a World-Class System

Healthcare delivery in Abu Dhabi is undergoing a significant transition that will affect the entire spectrum of stakeholders, including patients (Nationals and Non-Nationals), providers and those responsible for planning, assuring the quality of services and financing the health system. The key objectives of the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi are to:

1. Improve quality of care, always the primary consideration, to be promoted through application of rigorous service standards and performance targets for all.
2. Expand access to services, giving all residents access to the same standard of care with the power to choose healthcare services thus promoting excellence through free-market competition.
3. Shift from public to private providers safely and efficiently so that private providers, rather than government, services healthcare needs with the role of the government restricted to the development and enforcement of new world-class healthcare standards.
4. Implement a new financing model through a new system of mandatory health insurance.

Education

Creating a Foundation for Global Leadership

The development goals of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be achieved only with the support of a sophisticated and entrepreneurial workforce. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has defined education as a pillar that will enable Abu Dhabi to meet standards of excellence achieved in the most highly educated countries of the world.

A primary goal of education reform in Abu Dhabi is to create the highest quality, comprehensive system of education that applies world-class standards and expertise. To achieve this, the Government of the Emirate has given national priority to improving educational outcomes alongside its significant commitment to healthcare.

The reform effort begins with administrative restructuring so that:

• The Government has a reduced role in the direct provision of educational services.
• A strengthened private sector delivers more educational services on behalf of the government.
• The focus of the government becomes that of regulator and supervisor of an education system with newly created standards matching the world's best educational practices.
• The participation of Emirati Nationals in education administration and teaching is increased.
• Cost efficiencies are achieved through new practices in the management of individual schools and new administrative structures for learning institutions across the Emirate.

These reforms should allow Abu Dhabi to evolve as an education hub for the Emirates and the region.

Labour

Working together in a fair and ethical environment

From its sparsely populated beginnings, Abu Dhabi has rapidly developed into a sophisticated economy mobilising significant labour resources. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Emirate is expected to continue its rapid economic growth and development. As this occurs the local economy will require greater amounts of human resources combined with more diverse skills and capabilities from the workforce.

Effective management of labour resources constitutes a critical element in attracting and developing a skilled and flexible workforce capable of delivering upon the Emirate's social and economic vision. Mismanagement of labour resources would not only threaten the achievement of that vision but could tarnish the country's international image.

Most importantly, it would be inconsistent with the values of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

In carrying out the ethical, safe and efficient management of labour resources within the Emirate both Government and private sector entities will support the following objectives:

• Achieving full employment of the UAE Nationals in viable career tracks.
• Adhering strictly to the Federal Law for the Regulation of Labour Relations, as well as to all international labour obligations entered into by the UAE.
• Eliminating completely any and all kinds of exploitative or coercive labour practices, with particular focus on the protection of women and minors, as well as the complete eradication of any form of human trafficking.
• Providing a safe and healthy working environment for all members of the labour force.
• Eliminating all forms of negative discrimination from the workplace.
• Ensuring an adequate and stable supply of labour to support the continued economic and social development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
• Bolstering the international reputation and image of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
  

Culture and Heritage

Conserving Abu Dhabi's Most Valuable Assets

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is endowed with important archaeological and natural sites, special oases and landscapes, traditional architecture, oral traditions and expressions, its own performing arts, social practices, rituals and traditional handicrafts. These resources represent a unique and valuable contribution to the richness of global culture and heritage, and like all such unique contributions merit special measures to ensure their preservation. However, without intervention, these resources are threatened with dilution by rapid urban, demographic and economic development.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage has been created as the single cultural heritage management body to address the immediate and long-term culture and heritage needs of Abu Dhabi. It will rely on appropriate legislative backing and work constructively with a range of public and private entities in the Emirate.

The development of an effective culture and heritage policy for Abu Dhabi is based on the following objectives:

1. Creation of a sound legal framework defining the components of heritage and the responsibilities and competencies of different institutions and stakeholders, given that cultural heritage applies across portfolios and cannot be handled by one body exclusively.
2. Legal establishment of an effective decision-making and coordinating body mandated to guide and coordinate with other public and private entities involved in the conservation and management of cultural heritage.
3. Adequate staffing of all entities and services responsible for the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage. This would include conservation specialists, heritage management experts, urban planners, archaeologists, historians, inspectors, technicians and other professionals.
4. Close collaboration between the Federal and local authorities involved in the implementation of the culture and heritage policy.

Food Control

Assuring Public Health and Safety

Abu Dhabi citizens and residents look to the government to ensure access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food for themselves and their families. Whether buying food at a local grocer or going to a restaurant for a special dinner, people need to feel confident that the food they eat has been safely handled and prepared.

Abu Dhabi's record in food safety is excellent. The Food and Environment Control Centre has operated for 50 years and in 1988 it was the first government institution in the Middle East and Africa to obtain the ISO 9002 International Quality Certificate. However, in March 2005 His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued Law No. (2) in 2005 establishing the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. This Authority has been granted a broader mandate that will increase its effectiveness and bring the highest international standards to the delivery of its mission.

The new Authority is dedicated to protecting consumers in the area of food safety, hygiene and quality and is working to be recognised internationally as a world-class authority on food safety.